New generation capacity remains in focus

Government is expediating applications for new generation capacity, reducing the time it takes for renewable energy resources to be connected to the grid and giving backlogs urgent attention, says Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

He was speaking during an update on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan on Monday, March 25.

The recent passing of the Electricity Regulation Amendment (ERA) Bill in the National Assembly is of “tectonic proportions” to South Africa’s electricity sector, he said.

“Now we are looking beyond Eskom as part of an enduring resilient solution to the energy crisis,” he said.

Ramokgopa said government is “doing everything possible” to ensure that new generation projects are brought into the fold.

Currently, there are about 120 projects with some 12 000 MW, he said.

To streamline the process, a single entry point, or "one-stop-shop," has been established for project developers. This platform enables developers to submit all necessary applications, eliminating the need to engage multiple government departments separately, he said.

“The introduction of reforms are beginning to see practical progress. The measure of that progress is in the number of megawatts that we are able to receive,” he said.